Vampires Books

It appears that Ms. Meyers overextended herself the past year by trying to produce both "Breaking Dawn" and "The Host." Ms. Meyers had promised a satisfying conclusion to the Twilight Saga. Instead, key story arcs are either (a) trivially/falsely concluded, or (b) left dangling more so than any of the preceding books left us, and the preceding books were suppose to be providing us with "to be resolved in future book" story arcs. I am horribly disappointed in the conclusion provided to the Voltari/Cullen conflict.

I preordered this book, I had read the previous three last summer and even though I am a little older (29) than the target audience I still enjoyed the story. That said, I just shook my head in disbelief a lot during this book. I don't mean to sound cynical, but I just don't understand Bella sometimes. It is like she has no ambition but to be with Edward. The story had promise with the baby and all, but the ending was just too neat and tidy. I would have read this even if I had seen bad reviews on it, just so I knew the author's vision of the end. But to me, well I prefer Jacob. I know Meyer is Mormon and I did get a greater sense of her faith in this book, it showed through more often in some of Bella's choices. Which is fine, I am just saying it was more noticeable.

Ok, so let's just first state that I can't believe I'm doing this...but seeing as I am completely obsessed, let's stress obsessed, with the Twilight Saga I feel I must with all the haters out there. I just keep reading review after review of Breaking Dawn, and people, let it go.

Spoiler alert.

What I loved about BD:
I was very happy with the ending. I mean, it's a book, so who cares if she gets it all. Duh, it's called escapism. I can understand from a literary viewpoint it was a cop out and may be anticlimactic to some that she got Edward, a baby, immorality, Jacob and all her family (Cullen's included) intact. It was exactly what I wanted for her - all of it. If Edward had died or she left him for Jacob, I would have died and then tossed my books. Everyone is all up in arms about how the books have all been about sacrifice and what she'd do for Edward and their love. But, I am pretty sure she did make one sacrifice, umm, her soul. And she did choose Jacob before she knew he'd still be her BFF. And she did choose to be a vampire before she knew she'd be a mature newborn and not have to leave Charlie.

I thought the wedding and honeymoon were endearing. I was just glad they finally made love. We have been waiting three books for that. I totally disagree with people saying Edward became prissy. I think being a husband and father suits him...his overreacting and devotion are made for that.

I loved, even though I cried reading that part, that Edward loved Bella more than the baby or himself. If he had to choose, it was obvious he'd pick her over the baby. It was gut wrenching to read that he would put her wants for a child above his needs, desires and opinions of marriage. It was just another time Edward showed his undying devotion for Bella and anything to make her happy.

What surprised me about BD:
The gore of the birth and subsequent stabbing in the heart with a venom filled syringe. I had been anticipating the act would be more romantic (but didn't we all), but maybe that's why SM took this route.

Sperm? I am confused on why they have that one body fluid, but whatev.

Renesmee is a crazy name, but who cares. Like the names in Harry Potter aren't crazy.

I was most surprised that I liked Book 2 at all. I mean, enough with Jacob. But, his commentary/viewpoint and chapter titles were great. And I think the shape shifter twist is cooler than werewolves anyway...

I very slightly lost touch with Bella after she became a vampire. It didn't make me put it down or anything, but I just noticed that her story seemed less urgent now. Less dire. She had Edward and immortality - lucky. Her human nature helped me to identity with her, I'm sure SM's point with that. Edward seemed less dangerous and mysterious after her change, but no less devoted. She was now equal to him in a certain aspect and that lessened the star crossed lover edge. But, her lack of catching on kinda always kept me one step from her too - I mean she really believed him when he said he didn't want her anymore, she thought he went to Italy because he felt guilty, she thought he didn't want her to become a vampire for selfish reasons.

The action with the Volturi. I thought the purely mental action at the end was a change from the previous three. Why does every book have to end with some giant fight for conflict. It was suspenseful, shouldn't that be enough? And who cares if she has a power now...didn't anyone else see that coming?

So, in conclusion, who cares that she traded her soul for EVERY single thing she ever wanted. With the ending of the saga, I wanted to be able to always think of them together forever out there somewhere happy and that's what I got. I mean how can we expect a reality based outcome of this saga when one of the main characters is so amazing perfect: physically (the eyes, the muscles, the hair, the smile, the voice), intelligent with two medical degrees, musical, a good dresser, drives a Volvo, good dancer, good cook, polite, fiercely loyal, compassionate, virtuous, completely devoted to her protection, needs and wants both as a human (he saved her multiple times, made sure she ate and slept, watched her sleep, even had sex with her as a human at her request) and vampire....jez, mankind or should I say womankind everywhere is ruined.

That's my two cents. I'm off to reread Twilight now...

I can't understand how anyone could be disappointed!!
Just like Edward said, I got EVERYTHING I wanted and so much more I never thought to ask!
Stephenie is brilliant in her storytelling and what's so wrong with a PERFECT happily ever after anyway? Who wants to feel depressed after reading a book? Thinking back, the ending for New Moon and Eclipse both were bittersweet endings to me and I was sincerely hoping that the final book was going to be the perfect happy ending and it was! I have already re-read all the books (which I've never done before with any other books) This will definitely be a re-read for me for many years to come. Thank you Stephenie for the most awesome conclusion to a brilliant series that I hate to say goodbye to!

I absolutely loved the book, but I came to a conclusion to why some people felt disappointed with it. Since, I started late in reading the saga and all four was already out. I didn't have to wait it out like most people did, anticipating, waiting, assuming, and reading spoilers. They ruined it for themselves. I even hesitated to read the first book, but had to know for myself why people loved it so much especially with the movie coming out, I knew i had to read it before I watch it. Hopefully the movie is exactly what I imagine everything in my head coming to life, well the screen! lol
Overall, I read all four books within four days because I was so intrigued with it that I had to finish it, all of it (the saga). I love details and Meyer is extremely detailed, I can't explain myself without saying everything I believe is needed to be said, to be understood!
Anyways, some people believe she was "imprinting" (lol) bad morals onto young girls, I'm 20 years old, I did not once try to put Bella's life into mine. It was more of a fantasy world that I knew did not exist even though, it would be awesome to have an "Edward" of mine, but it is all for fun and the love of books that bring you to another world. I'm a picky reader, I can only read books that intrigue me to a point I'm stuck and I can't stop! I love it. I loved the way Meyer writes and everything it has to do with the Twilight series, I definitely did not want it to end! To my excitement, I found out about Midnight Sun, Edwards version of twilight with his view and thoughts. YES! I got to understand him even more, but I am not going to ruin it for myself with spoilers, well except for the unedited chapter 1 that could be found on Stephenie Meyer's website, I couldn't help myself even though i roughly knew what to expect. Also some people complained, in Twilight, Bella was too obsessed with Edward, but since it was her narrative I'm sure I would have done the same, but now we get Edwards version which I'm sure he is as much obsessed with her as she is with him.
So people feel a little disappointed because they ruined it for themselves. All I can say is, have fun! books are meant for the imagination where anything could happen, good or bad. So chill out people and read and get lost in this magnificent world in which Meyer has blessed ourself to created for us to share her love for Bella and Edward too!

This book is not a lot of things: linguistically complex, rich in description, full of well-developed characters. Lovers of vampire lore will find that it is not particularly dark or detailed - Meyer seems more interested in the way being a vampire might affect your relationships than any other aspect of the myth. On the other hand, it's very fun to read.

This book might not meet any definition of masterpiece: it would be fair to call the narrative simplistic and the style is meant for teenagers, and it's meant to entertain, not to challenge. The plot is not hard to follow or hard to predict. The characters are fairly one-dimensional, especially the minor characters such as the mother and father and the "ordinary" friends at school.

And yet, this is one of the literary confections I have most enjoyed in recent years. The metaphor for teenage love is apt: what teenager has not fallen recklessly for someone who clearly might hurt her? What teenager doesn't seem, at times, ravenous for destruction and a risk to himself and those he loves the most? As metaphors for different kinds of transformation, vampires and werewolves are very powerful.

It's light reading, to be sure, five hundred pages of Meyer's book fly by faster than fifty of a Jane Austen novel I recently read. More story could have been condensed into the pages, but to what end? I enjoyed how she lingered indulgently on moments that are meant to be satisfying and titillating.

Is this about inspiring young women? Does it need to be? The protagonist of this book is caught up in the events around her: rather than seeking adventure, she finds she has attracted it. She rises to the occasion in a believable way for a teenager, but she's not meant to be exceptionally gifted. She's good at biology and she's a loner, but she's not a hero figure. Her talent if any, is balancing two realities - something many children from divorced families know how to do well.

And that should be enough. There is something very pleasurable about the idea that you might be whisked away from ordinary life by coincidence or destiny. Having a heroine who is outspoken or remarkable shouldn't be a requirement for young adult reading. Some characters get to stumble into great lives, just like in adult fiction.

The character of Edward is more extraordinary and more noteworthy both - and for good reason - the revelation of his existence and the unraveling of his mystery are the real drivers of the plot. Full of self-restraint, he harkens back to characters in 19th-century novels. He is in control and represents the ideal of a man who can act for selfless reasons even while racked with selfish desires.

Is this an exaggeration? Of course. But it's a brilliant insight into a teenage (and adult) fantasy: to have a lover both young (seventeen) and mature (he's been alive for a lot longer); someone who is passionately in love with you and yet must express himself in the quaintest, most innocent ways. It may be ground well-covered, but it's ground that has been well-covered for a reason: it's a very appealing fantasy. Meyer picked an excellent and evocative premise when she chose the idea of a teenage vampire in love with a human girl, and she deserves credit for making the most of that premise.

With all this having been said, I feel obligated to note, I am a reader of romance novels and a lover of romantic comedies who enjoys stories that strike an emotional nerve and fulfill a fanstasy even if they do so at expense of realism, artistic vision, or meaningful depth. I know that it matters more, in some cases, how well a story meets my expectations for it than how well it is written. Great prose can also disappoint you with an usatisfying ending and still be worth reading. Really masterful prose can lack a beginning or ending and still be worth reading. But sometimes as readers, we'll trade a certain amount of quality for a happy ending.

As a fulfillment of a fantasy of being considered mysterious by someone mysterious, being drawn into a world that is unique and apart from the banal, being singled out as special - this book is magnificent.

When I first heard of the book Twilight, I read the plot and found myself not as interested so I let it go. Before long, I heard the movie was coming out and I knew I had to get myself to read the book before seeing the movie, knowing I would end up watching it.
So when my book finally came in the mail, it took me awhile to actually sit down and get myself to read it knowing that I mostly knew the outline of the story because it was a bit obvious with the movie coming out and all.
When I started it went pretty good, I read a few chapters without stopping and I was able to put the book down. When I decided I wanted to start again, I couldn't stop reading it.
I had to know what was going through Bella's mind as she fell in love with the vampire, Edward. I could imagine what they look looked like, every scene, and every detail. I loved how detail oriented she was, like myself I can't help, but explain every detail because it only added to the importance of the story! I was so intrigued with every word and scene, I found it very hard to put down the book, but I had to sleep being in college summer school and all, plus work! I was already half way through the book and decided to buy New Moon the second book to the saga, hoping it would come before i finished.
Then it hit me when I continued to read, I was going to finish this book today, in a short few hours. I wanted to stop so I would be able to continue with New Moon, but knowing myself, once intrigued by a book, there was NO stopping and that was exactly what happened, I couldn't believe it, I finished it all in approximately a day, a new recored for such a big book. I was upset, I had to wait for my next book to be shipped, so I canceled my book and got the ebook (reading it this way was hard because its not as easy to lounge around with a laptop on your lap and according to my friends it was harder for them to concentrate looking at a bright screen, but I was fine and brave through it) and I also found myself not being able to stop and I had to get Eclipse (3rd book) and Breaking Dawn (4th book) ebook style.
So in other words, I LOVED all four books, some a little less, but nonetheless extremely satisfied with Stephenie Meyer and her imagination. I was an immediate fan for LIFE for Bella and Edward! Also I could understand why some people found the last book disappointing because they had to wait and anticipated and assume what would happen, but because I read all 4 in four days ( I know, I'm crazy =]) I knew exactly where she was going at and know finding myself wanting to re-read every book, but maybe the old fashion way, on paper!
For people who felt she was giving young girls a wrong impression, I got none and I'm 20 years old, I knew this was fantasy and imagined myself within that fantasy and not relating to the real world about the ideas, except I wouldn't mine finding myself a vampire like Edward, but we all know this isn't true and just for fun. So live a little and just let yourself get lost in this world. (well try not to be like me, I'm sure it's not healthy to read all 4 books in short periods of time since they are long!) I never write book reviews, and I found it within myself, that I MUST back up Stephenie Meyer and all her fans, and I'm glad I did. Hate all you want (bad reviewers, 1 star? come on!), but I am utterly in LOVE with this WHOLE saga and world!

When I originally heard about this series, I was like cool another Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But instead there is this insipid girl risking her life for so called love. The casual way she risk her life is misleading and dangerous, I was totally underwhelmed. I literally read the book out of stubborness and boredom but I was repulsed by the simpleness of Bella. To me it seems to encourage suicide.

All the fuss over this book was really making me curious to read it for myself. Romance is not my thing, but my curiosity wouldn't let me ignore the buzz. Killing some time as I was waiting to be seated at Olive Garden, I walked to a Borders Books in the same shopping center. In front of the store was a table dedicated to Twilight and the sequels. I gave in to my curiosity and decided to buy it. As I waited in the car for the restaurants pager to go off I started reading. Turned out my pager was dead so I got about 100 pages in. I guess I read close to another 50 later on that night. At this point I was totally baffled why this book was so successful. My journal entry for that day read "She is far from being the best writer in the world as some people are claiming. The whole premise is kind of silly. I'm not sure how much longer the book can go on before it is ridiculous."

Having just finished the book I agree with myself. The book is very cliché and predictable. Bella's name should be Mary Sue. I definitely feel the authors self insertion. Why doesn't Bella have any aspirations or dreams for her future? She acts like a house wife in the making. For being the main character her development is rather shallow. Besides being infatuated with Edward the only hobby she has is reading. How many times do we need a stock character that can't see her own beauty, has a man think for her, in love at first sight, pursued a male who has a secret, or is a damsel in distress? Young girls are swooning over Edward. Is he really someone you want a young girl to swoon over? He stalks and breaks in to watch Bella sleep. What 100+ person would even want to be around a teenager let alone date one? Supposedly he has hunted and eaten people, but he is 100+ year old virgin because he wouldn't have sex with someone he didn't love. Not to mention that he claimed he could accidently crush the person. Wouldn't he rather crush someone he had a one night stand with then a loved one? He could have a snack after too.

One thing that stood out when I was only 150 pages in was how everyone was depicted as beautiful. Pretty much the only people who weren't, the old lady in the book store and Bella's almost rapist. By using the Amazon search inside feature I found that she refers to how beautiful everyone is 50 times. That's a lot considering how thin the plot is. In a nutshell the book is, I hate the rain and Edward is a hot vampire. Eyes are also over mentioned. The word appears 293 times. Most of the sentences in the book start with "I..." It's like reading a diary of ditsy teeny bopper.

Up to page 375 there is hardly any action. This action ends on page 451. With 498 pages you think there would be more the 47 pages of something happening. This book should not have gone over the 200 page mark. Even with trimming off 300 pages there would still be a lot of filler.

Fans tell those who aren't drooling over the books to not take the book so seriously or to not suspect much from a young adult book. Have these fans not heard of C.S Lewis? Why can only Twilighties write a serious review? People read reviews to learn the good and the bad points. Not to mention criticism helps a writer grow.

Even though this was definitely not my favorite book my curiosity will drive me to read the rest of the series. I don't think the book is worthy of the fuss it gets, but there is something about it that makes me want to see how the story will unfold.

I wanted to like this book. For one thing, it came highly recommended by reputable reader-friends (sorry guys, nothing personal). It took me a good 200 pages to even realize that I didn't like it, but as the pages slipped by, so did this book's potential to tell a convincing, complex and emotionally-gripping story.

I didn't mind the slow start. Bella Swan's teenage over-reaction that "the world is going to end, or at least suck for a while" when she moves from Phoenix to Forks, WA was a familiar yet believable theme for a young adult book. I forgave her silly name and her paralyzing (literally) clumsiness. For a while.

Then Bella discovers the attractive, standoffish, teenage vampire clique. Don't get me wrong, I knew there would be vampires. I had hoped they would bring some intrigue, interesting character interaction, and a few creative supernatural twists to the mix. I was wrong: Edward, the main vampire/love interest must be the most blatant example of author-male fantasy insertion in a story I have ever read--the way his beauty is praised ad-nauseum, as is his ability to out-play/perform/karate/run etc. every mortal/immortal on the planet in any game/sport/musical instrument/hand-to-hand combat/race etc. certainly attests to that. Edward and his (almost) equally Hollywood Hot family are less creatures of the night, and more a blend of Greek god and barbie doll whose baseball games are confused for thunderstorms by us mortals. They are also apparently perpetual high school students, moving to schools every few years to keep anyone from catching on. Is this consistent with Meyer's view of noble "vegetarian" vampires who only want to alleviate the mortal misery of their weak human neighbors? With Dr. Carlisle the one notable exception, I can't quite suspend my disbelief that a hundred years would NOT be enough time to fake your age, get into law school, med school, the foreign service branch of the state department...(or at least use certain inherent skills to become pool boys or tennis instructors).

All this was mildly irritating, but what really brought the star-count down for me was that this book had so much potential to challenge my perception of the world, to make me think. I kept reading because I expected there to be a twist...not a "gotcha" moment, but one where the characters grow too big for the box they've been placed in, where they become bold and try to deal with their issues. I wanted to Bella to challenge the emotionally manipulative hold Edward has on her. I wanted Edward to fail at something and discover humility, and even have to rely on Bella for a change. I wanted Bella and Edward to discover that there are consequences for misinterpreting an attraction based scent/beauty for one based on communication, compromise, and time. I kept reading, sure that something complex and meaningful would happen...

I hope I don't spoil anything when I say that the characters start off in the shallow end, and end up in the pool parking lot. When the action finally started at around pg 400, all I could think of was what one of the robots on Mystery Science Theater 3000 sarcastically remarked during a B-movie that was being thoroughly panned: "And the reason this part works so well is that we care about the characters!" If a random "bad guy" is suddenly going to appear at the end of a book and try to kill one of the main characters for no apparent reason, I want to at least care about them!

Finally, a brief note on the writing itself. I thought some of the mood-setting description was pretty well done, and honestly didn't notice anything truly jarring until after the appearance of Edward. Suddenly, cliches like "a carved statue", "an Adonis", "his angel face" surface at least every page or so, as do numerous purple descriptions of eye color meant to substitute for character depth. Over-dramatic facial expressions abound, especially in the more intimate moments: grimaced, shuddered, gaped, glared. And finally, the awkward dialog tags. Characters "demand", "chuckle", "mutter bleakly", but never "say" anything unless they say it "harshly", "quietly" or "tenderly". The line '"Yes", she agreed' made me laugh out loud. All these "little" things, once I started noticing them, made the character's actions seem even more inconsequential and ridiculous.

Bottom line: obviously this isn't literature, but neither is it a thought-provoking or even "fun" frivolous read. There just isn't any substance there to care about, no challenge, just a pretty boy and a "good-smelling" girl who needs to be rescued half a dozen times. Some other reviews have compared this book to fan-fiction, and I think that's a fair assessment. I've written overwrought fan-fiction in my time, complete with the "seagreen eyes" and "nymphlike shoulders" but that doesn't mean everyone's wish-fullfillment fantasy needs to blow into a doorstop of a book.

For a more convincing and complex approach to the violence and passion inflicted by one man's uncanny sense of smell, try Patrick Suskind's book Perfume.

The Twilight Saga is a must read! But make sure you don't have any pressing immediate issues to attend to because you will simply neglect everything but the books. Amazing! I could not put them down and each one was better then the next. This book tugs at your heart strings a bit - but so worth it. Stephanie Meyer does not dissapoint and I hope that she continues to write such thriling, entertaining and intense literature. 5 Stars!!!

I am not sure if the author was intending to make Bella like this or it just happened as she was writing...

I did enjoy the first two books and was enjoying the third one till Bella started being so ANNOYING... The author did eliminate the beauty of the book and turned Bella into a cheap selfish girl... I mean come on if this book is read by teens look at the message its delivering to them, there are many reading this book and obssessed by it...

I am not a Teen yet I love every now and then to read fantasy books and let my mind drift away... but reading this book all I saw was images of Bella making out with whoever passes her way... Its good that she didnt make out with Victoria... I dont know what happened but after all the smooching and shudderring that bella felt every time she touched someone, I start to wonder if this was a Fantasy book or a Sexual Fantasy Book...

There is a thin line between love and physical touch... and that is where the author lost it... I cant see Bella except like a self manipulating girl who wants to have everything... The author forgot that her target audience were mainly teens and she removed morals and ethics from the story...

I was really disappointed and decided to take a break before I read Book 4... Yet I cannot deny that the author has her way with words which makes you keep reading even if you dont like what you see...

PS: Read The host if you get the chance its a good book...

I absolutely love this series & the book was in somewhat acceptable condition when I received it.
However that's not what was promised. I purchased the book NEW & when I received it, the cover was completely scratched up.
I thought it could have been something in the mailing, but it was well-protected in the box. So I don't know why Amazon would send me a NEW book that LOOKED incredibly tatterd.
The series itself is fantastic!

Bella finds herself struggling between decisions. Edward or Jacob? Mortal or Immortal? Again, Bella pulls you in with her as she settles on her fate.

There are three back-stories in this third installment that are interesting; however, does not make it reader-friendly as a re-read, but still the story-line makes it almost unnoticable.

Wonderful story. The series should have ended here.

Each book just gets better and better......if you plan to read, you MUST start with Twilight, then New Moon, then Eclipse. Breaking Dawn is the 4th - will be released in Aug.

GREAT BOOKS for any age!

Stephenie Meyer's second in the series continues to develop the characters we love.

Another 5 stars for the series.

The story picks right up where Twilight left off (well a few months have past between stories) But a most perplexing injury makes Bella the popular girl at the party of fasting vampires. Oh no! Does a rift form between Bella and Edward?

....A great follow up in the series....

I am in love with this series & I haven't read anything better since Harry Potter! I found that these stories were so pure & innocent in the sense of romance as opposed to some trashy, shallow romance novel.
It took quite the imagination to create this world of vampires & mortals & I would give Meyer more than two thumbs up if I had more than two thumbs!

I am not exactly sure why Stephenie's books are so riveting - there is just something about the way she tells the story - simply amazing!
This book is pretty much a downer of a book, yet I continued to turn the pages at a rapid pace, waiting for what I could only hope would eventually happen, and I was not disappointed!
As I stated in my review of Twilight, I do not believe these books would be half as good, written by a man. Stephenie is somehow able to pour the intensity of her character's emotions directly into the written word, where you yourself end up directly feeling the agonizing pain or extreme joy, as if you yourself knew these characters personally.

If you have not yet decided to read this series, I highly recommend that you do so!!

In this book, I noticed that Bella's emotions became my emotions, obviously connecting with her from Twilight, and carried forward in this stellar sequel. Depressing, riveting, and exciting!

Just as good as Twilight.

As a 39 year old Mother of two young boys, this is NOT my typical type of book to read. I've never been one for horror, mystery or science fiction. I don't generally read books aimed at young adults (except Harry Potter). Too many adults I knew raved about these books and finally I couldn't ignore their recommendations. I bought the first and second book in the series, thinking that if I didn't like them I wouldn't have invested too much money or time. Well, I'm hooked and now I've purchased the other two as well. These books are pure entertainment and a great way to escape at the end of my busy days. To any adult that may be thinking that these books are not for them...give Twilight a try, you won't be disappointed!

Definite sense of satisfaction after finishing this book. The first half IS hard to read, the details of abuse ARE gory and disturbing, but it lets you know the why and how of Acheron and The Destroyer. Good read, flows well, and worth your time and money at 700 pages.

My biggest question when I read that Acheron's book was coming, was "what woman would be big enough (character, personality, etc.) for T-Rex?" I had to read the book twice, and parts of it several times, to agree that SK had created the right woman for Ash. Not perfect, but right. The disparity of the book between Ash's beginnings and the current day is pretty glaring, but probably the best way to convey the concept of the who, what and where that is Apostolos, aka Acheron Parthenopaeus. Even if many readers can find specific, to them, flaws in the book, it is a necessary read, a coming-together, for a series that now extends through twenty-three books and/or short stories. This, to me, is a 'catch your breath, refresh your memory, and gird your loins' rest to get ready for the next books in the series. (And, we KNOW there HAVE to be at least five more stories. please, SK?) Plus, and this is a crass, monetary thought here, I know, but I really appreciate that a modern romantica/fantasy writer has written a 700+ page book and has only charged the regular hardback price. I sometimes bewail the $14.00 price I choose to pay for a 1 1/2 hour read. (I pay it, but am a bit snarky about it. A $7.99 ppb, not so much.) Excellent, wonderful, or just plain very good, this is THE book that every SK fan has to have. Probably the best dollar value in a book that I have in ages, if ever.
Now, the long (probably) wait for the next step. Whose story will be next?

Words cannot describe how much i liked this book. It's about time Acheron got his! I laughed, cried, and enjoyed every word of it.

This book is amazing, I lost count of how
many times I cried, and fell in love with
Acheron all over again.
Of course the ending left it wide open
for the next book.... I can't wait!

This series has always been my guilty pleasure and this book is the one I have been waiting for. If you are looking for an interesting story with great mythology, this is it. I love that Ash's heroine was a human, because honestly the supernatural with supernatural storyline was starting to get tedious. I loved this series for its love overcoming the impossible storylines mixed with great takes on old mythologies. This book was darker and more intense than the others in the series without losing what has made the series so great to begin with: its just plain fun. Touching, funny, sad, and honest, this book is a great read from start to finish. Its the best one is a series that truly is a guilty pleasure all around!

I just recently read where people were saying to read On the Prowl first, so needless to say I read Cry Wolf before I ever heard that! I don't agree with those that say there isn't enough back story! If you read the Mercy Books, you know this falls right between the first two and it the world is already familiar. I liked the way the back story was left out, it gave more depth to the characters. It created a mystery as to why she was the way she way. I really thought this was a very emotional book. The way she reacted as fall out of her abuse - it was very touching the way her and Charles were with each other. I really enjoyed the book - it will be added to my favorites with Mercy Thompson and Aishling Grey books!

Not that I haven't found anything so far by Briggs that I don't like, but this is a real gem of a story. It reads so easily and has so many emotional twists that it really kept me turning pages.

When.. I started reading the book I was felt like I was coming in on the second book or something. So I flipped back a few pages to see if there was a book one listed. I realized no this is book one its just somehow started on the tail-end of another story and I feel left behind and confuse. I think things would have went much smoother had the author skipped the first chapter where Charles is injured and Anna is getting her things from her apartment. I mean I kinda get why she did it to showcase Anna's past and the reasons for her behavior, but things would have gone alot better if she'd just given a brief synopsis somewhere or used flashbacks to get it across. So the reader doesn't start out feeling like their missing something like say oh how the relationship intially began. I just don't feel like I really got to know either of the characters EXCEPT Asil.. who wasn't even one of the main characters.
Another critique that I have in that the book moved a little ssslllooooww. There wasn't much action to move the story along. The Villainess came off mostly as a petulant child. I don't think I would rush to buy the next book. This is the first briggs book I actually chose to read I've been skipping the Mercy thompson series, however; after reading about Samuel I'm tempted to give them a try, but If I end up feeling the same about them.. Then i'm not just not meant to be a Briggs fan.

Turned against her will and abused by her pack back in Chicago, Anna was saved by Charles Cornick. Son of the Marrok, the leader of all North American werewolves, Charles is an enforcer and killer for his father. When his inner wolf chose Anna as his mate he brought her back to Montana with him. But the honeymoon isn't over... it hasn't even begun.

There's trouble stirring in the winter-kissed woods of north-western Montana. People are being attacked by what must be a werewolf and Bran, the Marrok, wants to know for sure. It's possible the attacks may be an attempt to scare Bran because he has been talking about revealing the existence of werewolves to the rest of the world. Who better to send than his enforcer and his Omega? When Anna and Charles set off into the mountains to uncover the truth they end up meeting up with something even scarier than another werewolf. If they can't defeat this new evil every werewolf in North America is in danger.

While some reviewers will disagree, having read Cry Wolf, I feel that it is essential that the short-story "Alpha and Omega" from On the Prowl be read before reading this book. Even having read the short-story I was a little lost trying to understand the dynamic of the Omega wolf. Maybe I'm a bit thick but even now that I've finished Cry Wolf I find myself with questions and confusion. Doh!

I wanted to love this book. I'm a huge fan of the Mercy Thompson series, which is also set in this world, and living in Montana I was hoping that Briggs would give the same loving care to it she has to the Tri-Cities in Mercy's series. But I just didn't feel it. The story felt almost... drawn from a hat. I loved Asil, Sage, Tag and Walter, it had great supporting characters. Anna is alright, but I felt like she was closed off from me as a reader, as if we really didn't get to see too much into who she is. Charles was much the same but having read of him in Mercy's series I've never liked him and found him dull as a hero. I'll give the series another shot certainly, but this opener just didn't win my heart as I had hoped.

I just wanted to make sure that whoever is thinking about reading this book knows that they should read On the Prowl first. Its not a have to but it gives you a little more insight on this book series.

I thought that this series (speaking to the first three books) was good. However, I felt like there was no way for it to stand the test of time (not even 5 years). The way the mother daughter team wrote was throwing in too many modern references. It went through my head that the mom probably sat down and wrote the main story and then handed her daughter the manuscript and from there her daughter just plugged in parenthesis with some modern day reference. It's a small complaint but it still bothered me through out the series. I would still recommend the book and I am looking forward to the fourth book coming out.

I was bored, and annoyed with the main character and all of the drama that they took from real teenage life, and magnified tenfold.

I enjoyed Dracula immensely, and I love the Twilight series, but don't hold your breath for this one. Unless you enjoy choppy writing, and a heroine who should calm down a bit.

This series is pretty bad, with a "mary sue" main character, but it's they're very easy reads and they're my guilty pleasure.

Great book. I will definitely order the rest in the series. Thank you.

This book is a huge disappointment. While it may sell well in the mass market, it can not be put in school libraries. The sexual content alone sets this book up for censorship issues.

I bought this book because of all the 5 star reviews. Those people must have read a different book. If there are those out there who thought this book was that good they'd be blown away by a good author's vampire stories...like J.R. Ward for example.

I kept thinking it was going to pick up but it never did. The vampire was the most boring of all the characters. Everything was so....flat.

I honestly do not understand how something like this can get published. I finally gave up on it before half way.

I really enjoyed this book. I was very much into the author's take on vampires. I liked that it was a healthy mixture of fun, funny, light, dark, serious, and action. Can't wait to read the rest of this series.

I just heard about this author and purchased the book. I am now a big fan and got the complete series of 8 books. Now I can't wait for the next one.

Considering the rave review I was given of Harris' work, I was greatly disappointed. The characters are dull and stereotypical, and the plot is flat and underdeveloped. It's "charm" seems to be its Southern setting, and I guess I'm just not southern enough to enjoy it.

Sookie Stackhouse is your average southern gal. She's a waitress and loves her job, she lives with her grandma, goes to church and doesn't swear; she tells her brother he's being an idiot when he's being one, she's as pretty as a belle and stays out of any and all trouble. She's a nice girl optimist with a quickfire temper with no prospects.

She can also pick up on people's errant thoughts and read them if she really needs too. Mostly, she stays out of other people's heads.

Then she meets Bill Compton, a very old, very worldy vampire (circa Civil War) who wants to 'mainstream' and live among the humans. She also can't hear a word he's thinking and it's love at first silence. But just as Sookie is finding the man she's been waiting for her whole life, a series of ghastly murders disrupts the peace and they all have similiar backgrounds with Sookie. To add to the woes, Sookie's life is turned upside down completely and Bill's not-so-clean-cut friends begin to cause hell and havoc, fueling fire to the anti-vampire undertone that is as dangerous as the murderer that may be aiming for Sookie herself. In this small southern town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, there are more things that are going bump-clatter-roll in the night than Sookie ever imagined.

For a vampire mystery novel, it had creativity, lively writing with wit and humor, and interesting characters in a world that is as palpable as though it could really be. The mystery element was well woven, if not a but drawn out with the who-done-it reveal that was a bit random. Also, the inherent violence and horror element in this seemingly charming book is the real shocker. All of which is done very vividly yet without the over melodrama that most try to do, just for effect. Harris balances this well with Sookie's wonderful perspective.

However, it's slow going, even with its several violent scenes and well done surprises--Sookie gets to be a very busy girl. It had a consistent steady flow, trot-like in its pacing that many might find frustrating. You won't really get through it in one sitting, but it's one of those books you savor, because it requires more thought and attention to the details.

Sookie is quirky yet fiesty and she had a wonderfully rich personae that is memorable and well developed. The romance that blooms unexpectedly is both sweet and steamy, done just right. Sookie's world is narrow but intimate and not overly complicated by the vampire society, yet. Which was smart because a lot of stuff happens.

Because it's strictly from her pov, other chracters, while well written and not badly developed, seemed, at times, vague and distant, just not fully fleshed out. I didn't mind that with Bill, because who wants a full reveal in the first of the story? Where's the fun and mystery in that, eh? I trust Harris to divulge Bill's mysteries and secrts in due time, and I can't wait to find them out!

Also. There were some instances in dialogue or description that was...not clear, and even confusing. A few things were casually or oliquely conveyed, and left hanging and not clarified. Like, they were inside jokes or something. Which makes me think southerners might understand a little better. I didn't mind per se, but it got a little annoying though it doesn't slow down the plotting in any way, but it's hard to not notice.

Overall, well worth the read and a keeper. And it has a very nostaligic feel to it, a la Anita Blake but with humor. So don't let the slow pace of the book deter you, it worth the read.

I had problems with the first book - mainly the anti-organized religion message & the high level of sexuality for the teen readers' age group. However, it was a fun story. I enjoyed it.

I read Betrayed hoping that the story would get better and the other stuff disappear. The opposite happened. More church-people-are-evil, and now Zoey is interested in a teacher. And there is a lot less story.

I mean a LOT less story. I kept putting the book down because it was so BORING. The characters who were cute in the first book are now just annoying. ("Easy" "Peasy" "Japanesy") Zoey is behaving out of character (how could she be interested in Heath again?). And all our understanding of who is a good guy/bad guy is thrown up in the air.

On the last, if that had been well done, it would have worked. The problem was it was badly done, obvious, and seemed like it was more for the effect than anything else.

I wouldn't recommend this book. I'm done with the series.

Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird is adjusting to her new life as a vampyre fledging at the House of Night. She's also learning the ropes on being a nurturing leader of the Dark Daughters. She is still dealing with Aphrodite, her biggest competitor and nemesis at the academy, but she soon learns that there is more to this rogue teen than meets the eye. However, things take a turn for the worse when a couple of football players from her old high school turn out dead. Who could be causing this? It is rumored that they are vampire killings, but neither Zoey nor her friends would do such a thing. If that wasn't bad enough, Zoey is happy with her boyfriend Erik, but is drawn to her ex-boyfriend Heath and intrigued with a hottie teacher with a knack for haiku. Oh, and is Neferet -- Zoey's beautiful and wise mentor -- all she appears to be? And what is happening to Stevie Ray, Zoey's best friend? Someone very close to Zoey will betray her. As the leader of the Dark Daughters, she will have to handle the situation on her own...

Betrayed, like Marked, is a dark and compelling teen paranormal novel. Zoey is a believable character, and her friends -- with the possible exception of the very caricatured "twins," Erin and Shaunee -- are three-dimensional and wonderful. The story takes a few steps away from the storyline in Marked. The most noticeable one is Erik as the main male character. Somehow it seems that the story will shift more toward Loren's direction as Zoey's possible male lead in her life. He does sound pretty hot, though the older teacher thing kind of creeps me out in a teen novel, even if it's one centered on vampires. I have no attachment to any of the male characters so far, so this is sort of a weak link for me in this series. The twists and turns are interesting, but I'm not thrilled with the cliffhanger type of ending. I do look forward to reading Chosen, but I probably won't crack it open for a while. If you're looking for a compelling YA vampire series (especially now that Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series is coming to an end), then this one's worth a try.

In the second book Zoey has finally settled in at The House of Night. She's got great friends, a boyfriend and she's the new leader of the school's top group. But there's something strange going on, she's seeing old students; students whose bodies rejected the change into becoming a vampire and are supposed to be dead. They don't look like they use to either, they're all pale white, their eyes glow red, nails are like claws and they smell like death. One of the new "ghosts" as she thought they were is her best friend at school, what's going on and who's behind it.

Loved this one as much as Marked and am looking forward to Chosen in March. Cried a little during the book, but it is well worth the read.

This series is getting better with each book. This book takes some twist which really get you caught up in the books heroines life. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

Even after her first month as a fledgling at The House of Night, Zoey Redbird's life still is as fast paced and hectic as ever. As the new leader of the Dark Daughters, she's responsible for turning it into a respectable and admirable club. Also, she seems to find herself with two boyfriends...with another guy sending her some mixed signals. On top of all of that, Zoey has been seeing some dark and mysterious creatures on the east wall. She wonders if it's all a trick of the mind, until human teenagers start disappearing...and winding up dead. Zoey will have to start facing the facts, especially after a shocking death in their midst reveals that what she has seen is no figment of her imagination...and what's truly horrifying is the identity of the person behind it all.

Betrayed picks up on all the suspense and thrill right where Marked left off. Full of twists and turns that flow fluidly and a continuation of excellent character development, Betrayed reveals more sinister plots and dastardly deeds that will leave readers reeling. The many normal teenager issues and feelings are melded with the supernatural happenings to create an adventurous and believable story. Though the world in which Zoey lives is unfamiliar, the Casts make the reader right at home with their smooth and inimitable writing style.